◎As far as I know, you also used this life to crash against this sunless city, trying to break through a ray of light◎

In mid-March of the fiftieth year of Yuanshao, military provisions still had no source, and Minister of War Yang Kui submitted ten memorials in succession begging the Emperor to procure funds. The Emperor suppressed the memorials without reprimand, but neither did he provide silver.

It seemed as if by just dragging things out like this, the silver would materialize and matters would resolve themselves.

Yu Qingwu carefully studied the court situation and felt the time had come, so he shifted from attacking Song Zhiwei to condemning Duke Songguo.

He requested an audience with the Emperor and knelt on the ground, saying: “Lord Song need only open his mouth to say the Ministry of Finance has no silver, and the Ministry of Finance clears itself of responsibility. His son at the Ministry of War then pressures the Court of the Imperial Stud to provide silver to fill the Ministry of Finance’s deficit—this father and son have quite the scheme.”

“If all court expenditures require the Court of the Imperial Stud to supplement them, then what need is there for the Ministry of Finance? For nearly twenty years the Ministry of Finance has had no revenue—has there never been any shame? To receive the sovereign’s salary is to relieve the sovereign’s worries. Lord Song has too little foresight.”

The Emperor actually felt these words were not wrong.

The Ministry of Finance had indeed been running deficits all these years. Previously when there was money to spend, he turned a blind eye, but now that problems had arisen and the Ministry of Finance still could not provide solutions, it brought him many troubles and he was indeed displeased.

He asked, “What excellent strategy do you have?”

Yu Qingwu then enumerated the Court of the Imperial Stud’s difficulties, and continued: “Though difficult, if it serves the nation and people, this minister has no second thoughts. However, examining past account books, there are numerous loans to various ministers, totaling two million three hundred fifty thousand taels before and after—this money should be collected to make up the deficit.”

The Emperor’s eyes brightened. “We nearly forgot about this matter.”

For many years the Emperor had wanted to be a benevolent ruler. How to be benevolent? By lending money to ministers, letting them buy grand mansions, eat well, use fine things, enjoy the best.

If someone refused to borrow his silver, he would instead feel this person had divided loyalties toward him.

Only in recent years with the treasury’s severe deficit had he stopped continuing to lend out funds.

And this money he lent out had also been transferred from the Court of the Imperial Stud.

Previously the Emperor’s intention was that this money need not be repaid, after all it was his grace. But now that Yu Qingwu raised it, he felt this matter was feasible.

However, borrowing money was easy while returning it was difficult. The Emperor said: “I fear it won’t be easy to collect debts.”

Yu Qingwu then recommended Song Zhiwei: “When this silver is collected, it will also fill the Ministry of Finance’s deficit. Lord Song is busy, but Young Lord Song is idle—otherwise he wouldn’t spend all day eyeing the Court of the Imperial Stud’s silver.”

The Emperor laughed. “This is work that offends people.”

But having Song Zhiwei do it was indeed appropriate.

He was Duke Songguo’s son and a member of the Ministry of War—no matter how one looked at it, his position was suitable.

The Emperor agreed to this matter and was very satisfied with Yu Qingwu, saying to the Crown Prince: “He’s not like those scholars outside who only know how to charge forward recklessly—he’s quite steady.”

But this fellow was rather vindictive. He frowned: “Song Zhiwei only asked the Court of the Imperial Stud for silver for court expenditures, yet he kept targeting him relentlessly. What is this, such a grand display, is he telling others not to offend him?”

The Crown Prince smiled and said: “Others, I cannot say. But Lord Yu and Young Lord Song… have quite some history between them.”

The Emperor: “Oh?”

The Crown Prince: “Song Zhiwei once sought to marry Lady Yu.”

Just one sentence made the Emperor burst into laughter, dispersing his anger. He said with amusement: “So that’s how it is.”

Once court matters were connected to private virtue, he felt much more at ease.

But after the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace from Chengming Hall, he warned Yu Qingwu: “You must not continue targeting father and son Song. In some matters, going too far is as bad as not going far enough.”

Yu Qingwu bowed in acknowledgment.

When Lan Shanjun entered the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince also had her advise Yu Qingwu: “The Song family cannot fall yet, but he’s pursuing them too tightly.”

Then after a pause, he said: “Why do I feel he’s trying to force the Song family to side with Prince Qi or Prince Wei?”

Lan Shanjun was startled—as long as the Song family participated in factional struggles, there would be grounds to deal with them.

Thus, it wouldn’t only be her dealing with them, but the Crown Prince’s faction as well.

Lan Shanjun had once considered this method, but doing it herself would be like climbing a mountain on a snowy night. Her approach had always been steady.

She didn’t believe she could manipulate wind and clouds.

A person who had spent decades in the inner quarters, even having observed court affairs for over two years, still knew very little about such matters. Though she constantly studied without laziness, she still ultimately couldn’t truly involve herself in these great affairs at this time.

Fortunately she wasn’t anxious, nor discouraged. Even comparing herself to Yu Qingwu, she would think: she had twenty fewer years than him of study and political experience.

Study a bit more, walk a bit further, and perhaps she could do it.

And when she lacked the ability to control things, she hadn’t planned to guide Yu Qingwu to target the Song family with full force.

She didn’t dare.

The court changed in an instant; today’s situation was hard-won. She didn’t dare rush rashly.

Thus, these two years, though Yu Qingwu knew she hated Song Zhiwei and never thought to befriend the Song family, because there was no conflict of interest, he had never targeted them like this before.

Lan Shanjun’s speculations grew more numerous in her heart, but when returning, she didn’t say much, only lightly mentioning Song Zhiwei: “His reputation hasn’t been good lately. Everyone says he’s fond of other men’s husbands, and quite a few men have sent calling cards seeking a night’s romance.”

Yu Qingwu knew she had gone to the Eastern Palace today. He estimated the Crown Prince would say something to her, so to avoid being advised, he lowered his head pretending to focus on his meal: “Mm.”

Seeing him being very cautious, only saying one word, Lan Shanjun changed topics: “Are tonight’s dishes tasty?”

Yu Qingwu: “Mm.”

Lan Shanjun: “Were the morning buns tasty?”

Yu Qingwu: “Mm.”

Lan Shanjun: “Such relentless pursuit—is it for my sake?”

Yu Qingwu: “Mm—no mm—not so.”

He hurriedly shook his head. “Not for you. I know what I’m doing.”

He said: “With the Ministry of Finance in that state, does Duke Songguo bear no responsibility? Now the Court of the Imperial Stud has no silver, so they can only be forced to collect the loans.”

Lan Shanjun served him a bowl of porridge. “I don’t really understand these things, yet I’m quite uneasy.”

She said earnestly: “Yu Qingwu, though I hate him, I also know some things cannot be rushed. I’m not in a hurry—you shouldn’t be either.”

Yu Qingwu took the porridge and drank. Thinking of how she kept this hatred locked in nightmares, his mood grew sour, and he gently nodded: “Don’t worry, I’m not rushing either. Everything I’ve done, I’ve calculated—I won’t go overboard.”

But he absolutely couldn’t let the Crown Prince and the Song family be on the same boat.

Who knew how things would turn out in the end?

The Crown Prince was after all the Crown Prince. Yu Qingwu didn’t dare gamble.

Hearing this, Lan Shanjun’s eyes flickered. She said: “The sun was good today. Nanny Qian is leading people to air my books. Should your study be aired as well?”

Yu Qingwu shook his head. “No need to air them.”

Lan Shanjun peeled another egg for him. “I heard from Nanny Qian that you’ve bought quite a few books this past half year.”

Yu Qingwu’s hand tightened. “Yes. The court is too oppressive, so I bought some story books to read.”

Lan Shanjun stood up. “I’ve also wanted to read books lately—may I borrow some to peruse?”

Yu Qingwu’s scalp went rigid: “Fine, I’ll go back and find one for you.”

Lan Shanjun nodded: “Then you eat first. I’ll go help Nanny Qian air the books.”

Yu Qingwu responded with a sound, then felt extremely vexed.

When she just mentioned Song Zhiwei, he should have cursed him more. But he was afraid saying too much would make Shanjun notice something.

He even feared she had already noticed.

He returned to his study and carefully selected a romance book that didn’t involve ghosts and spirits, then paused, put it back, and took instead a book about yamen investigations.

Inside were all cases of righting wrongs and seeking revenge, very satisfying.

Lan Shanjun looked at the book in hand and smiled. She nodded. “Thank you.”

After he left, she held the inventory ledger that Nanny Qian had obtained from the bookshop keeper, silent.

She asked Nanny Qian: “This book ledger is truly accurate?”

Nanny Qian patted her chest in guarantee. “Definitely accurate! Last time I bought so many—books there, I’m a big customer!”

However, she asked curiously: “Why are you checking what books he bought?”

Other wives checked if their husbands had other women outside, but Shanjun checked if he had other books outside?

How strange.

But she couldn’t read and couldn’t understand the implications within, anxiously scratching her ears and cheeks: “What books did he actually buy?”

Lan Shanjun: “Some… books about ghosts and spirits.”

—

Song Zhiwei was forced to take on the debt collection assignment, but this work was truly difficult. Within days he became a target of everyone’s arrows.

As the person who proposed this method, Yu Qingwu’s situation wasn’t much better.

But his reputation had always been poor, so no one cursed him.

Song Zhiwei was so angry he lost his temper at home: “I truly don’t understand what he’s trying to do! Injuring the enemy one thousand while losing eight hundred oneself—is he really a mad dog?”

As he day by day became an object of others’ ridicule, bit by bit got suppressed in officialdom, and came home only to be nagged by his mother about marriage matters, that serene chrysanthemum-like quality about him had long since diminished by half.

Duke Songguo was somewhat disappointed in him and said: “The Crown Prince’s faction grows increasingly powerful. Continue like this and it will be another Prince Qi. Therefore at this time, Yu Qingwu uses you as a blade to collect debt, gains the benefits himself, and reduces His Majesty’s wariness. As for the officials’ impatience? He probably doesn’t care.”

Even without this matter, would Prince Qi and Prince Wei’s factions spare him?

He sighed: “Zhiwei, since you’ve already entered the game, don’t lose your reason. You are the most intelligent among your brothers. When outside the game you were eloquent—why doesn’t it work now?”

Song Zhiwei had to suppress his anger. But this silver had still not been fully collected by May—who would willingly spit out what had entered their mouth?

Seeing no results, the Ministry of War continued memorializing begging the Emperor for silver.

Prince Qi’s heir, substituting for Prince Qi in court, very much wanted to accomplish something, so he pulled Wu Qingchuan and others to discuss solutions.

Unlike Prince Qi, Prince Qi’s heir was quite amiable and even respectful toward Wu Qingchuan. He spoke of Wu Qingchuan’s past glory, of his splendid essays, of his generous treatment of poor scholars, and finally bowed formally: “I have always admired the Grand Secretary. I hope the Grand Secretary will help me.”

The disregard Wu Qingchuan received from Prince Qi finally felt somewhat relieved.

He gave Prince Qi’s heir an idea: “The court has no silver, the people have no silver, the officials have no silver, but His Majesty has silver.”

The wealthiest in the realm was His Majesty.

Prince Qi’s heir hesitated: “In this way, His Majesty will detest me, won’t he?”

He actually truly entertained this thought.

Wu Qingchuan was surprised and smiled, deeply feeling Prince Qi’s heir was unlike Prince Qi indeed.

Such a person was much easier to deal with than Prince Qi. He consoled: “I have in mind a person to ask His Majesty for silver who won’t implicate us.”

Prince Qi’s heir: “Will His Majesty provide this silver?”

Wu Qingchuan: “He won’t.”

Prince Qi’s heir didn’t understand: “Since he won’t, then what other implication does the Grand Secretary’s plan have?”

Wu Qingchuan smiled: “If we force His Majesty into desperation, the court will descend into chaos. Today’s situation will naturally be broken.”

Prince Qi’s heir frowned: “Please speak plainly, Grand Secretary.”

Wu Qingchuan: “His Majesty is someone unwilling to change.”

The reason he allowed Yu Qingwu to impeach Song Zhiwei this year and secure the Court of the Imperial Stud’s silver was because he wanted Yu Qingwu to organize the warhorses well, preventing military forces from falling into others’ hands.

But what he feared was military forces, not common people selling horses, not officials forcing the people to rebel.

Wu Qingchuan smiled: “Now the Court of the Imperial Stud’s warhorse inventory is nearing completion. We only need to apply some pressure and His Majesty will think of the Court of the Imperial Stud again. This matter will be resolved.”

Hearing this, Prince Qi’s heir felt uncomfortable.

He returned and told Prince Qi: “I thought Wu Qingchuan would be a man of志 ambition—though he changed sides, he would still have conscience. But no matter how I look at it, he’s deliberately using this move to force Yu Qingwu to compromise.”

Though Prince Qi was confined to his residence, he wasn’t dejected. He leisurely drank a mouthful of wine and instructed: “He has always been this kind of person. It’s just that back when he stood beside the Late Crown Prince and Duan Boyan, he appeared more lofty.”

Prince Qi’s heir was unwilling to simply define Wu Qingchuan. He said: “Grand Secretary Wu did accomplish real things before.”

Prince Qi looked at him. Prince Qi’s heir touched his nose: “Father, why are you looking at me like that?”

Prince Qi sighed: “I’m thinking how I could have given birth to a son like you.”

A white phoenix born from a black nest.

He patted Prince Qi heir’s shoulder: “Just wait for Wu Qingchuan to act. Don’t interfere.”

Prince Qi’s heir helplessly nodded: “Yes.”

In mid-May of the fiftieth year of Yuanshao, Ministry of War Vice Minister Ni Tao submitted a memorial requesting the Emperor allocate silver. This was a routine memorial. The Emperor casually picked it up, planning to toss it into the pile of endless requests for silver allocations from the Ministry of War after reading.

Who knew that upon opening it he became so enraged he cursed loudly: “Bring Ni Tao before Us.”

When palace guards arrived at the Ni household, Ni Tao was bewildered, but his son loudly declared: “I switched out Father’s memorial. I beg you, Eunuch, take me to see His Majesty!”

By the time Yu Qingwu learned of this matter, Ni Tao’s son Ni Wanyuan had already killed himself by crashing into the pillars before Chengming Hall.

Yu Qingwu felt cold sweat down his back. He took the transcribed memorial and read carefully.

“The Ministry of War requests silver, but the Ministry of Finance has none, the Court of the Imperial Stud has none, all provincial and local offices have none!”

“The Ministry of War proposed transfers and borrowing, but all borrowing is exhausted. They proposed additional levies, but additional levies are exhausted. They proposed confiscation, but confiscation is exhausted… Methods are exhausted, paths are sought, there is no more silver. The Ministry of Finance is helpless, the Ministry of War is helpless, the court is helpless. Where has the silver gone?”

“In this minister’s foolish opinion, all the realm’s silver is entirely in His Majesty’s private treasury. This minister beseeches Your Majesty to immediately allocate silver to Yunzhou, Yuezhou, Qingzhou and other places…”

He closed his eyes. For a moment, his body and spirit were powerless. He locked himself in his room for a day, not taking a drop of water.

When Lan Shanjun came, he gathered his spirits to receive her.

Lan Shanjun asked: “Are you feeling self-reproach?”

Yu Qingwu paused, shook his head, then nodded.

He said: “Song Zhiwei may have joined forces with Wu Qingchuan.”

He did indeed feel guilty. Wu Qingchuan led someone as fearless of death as Ni Wanyuan down this path in order to deal with him.

And to be so eager to give him a lesson, it was probably also to win over Song Zhiwei and the Duke Songguo residence.

His voice was low: “Ni Wanyuan’s death has my share of cause.”

“This memorial was written extremely well. What he wrote were also the words I wanted to say. Wu Qingchuan using such a person, using Ni Wanyuan’s death, is to tell me I don’t deserve to stand with straight back before him.”

The way he was now, he also counted as one barely clinging to life.

Lan Shanjun just quietly watched him, then suddenly said: “Back then, even without you dealing with Song Zhiwei, there was such an incident.”

Yu Qingwu had been contemplating the Ni family matter. Hearing this, his scalp instantly went numb and he jumped up with a start: “Shanjun…”

Lan Shanjun smiled: “Are you afraid of me?”

At this time she also counted as neither human nor ghost.

She still remembered Yu Qingwu had said he was afraid of ghosts.

But Yu Qingwu shook his head blankly: “Of course not.”

How could he be afraid?

Lan Shanjun then said steadily: “Then let me tell you, back then Wu Qingchuan should also have used Ni Wanyuan to cause trouble. Only it wasn’t crashing into Chengming Hall, but having him lead the Imperial Academy students to cause disturbances. This matter was suppressed and no one died, so I don’t know much and hadn’t remembered.”

“If we calculate it this way, then I’m also a sinner.”

Yu Qingwu then understood she had truly deduced that he knew about her past.

He said in alarm: “Shanjun… I didn’t mean to hide it from you…”

Lan Shanjun still stood there quietly and nodded earnestly: “I know.”

He had always been restraining himself.

She said: “But I also cannot hide it from you… cannot watch you blame yourself like this.”

More things would happen later that they couldn’t change even knowing the future.

“Yu Qingwu, having returned for so long and experienced so many things, I’ve discovered everything was already predetermined. Guilt cannot be avoided, nor can all help be rendered.”

Yu Qingwu urgently tried to speak again, but Lan Shanjun looked at him and said: “You died in the winter of the fifty-seventh year of Yuanshao, your body and head separated.”

Yu Qingwu’s expression froze. He murmured: “Is that so?”

Lan Shanjun’s voice was gentle: “Yes.”

“As far as I know, you also used this life to crash against this sunless city, trying to break through a ray of light—Yu Qingwu, you need not feel guilty over Ni Wanyuan’s death.”

“You too once lost your life.”